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In a surprising twist, what was intended to be a solemn tribute to Jesse Jackson’s life and legacy turned into a platform for political rhetoric, leaving many attendees taken aback. Reported by RedState on Friday, the funeral in Chicago saw some Democrats, rather than focusing on the civil rights leader’s contributions, shift the spotlight to launching critiques against former President Donald Trump. This shift in tone was most notably marked by former President Barack Obama, who used the opportunity to deliver a speech that some perceived as fueling division rather than celebrating Jackson’s achievements.
Many found this pivot disheartening and disrespectful, overshadowing the true purpose of the gathering. I, too, shared the sentiment that the event strayed beyond the lines of decorum, overshadowing the reverence due to Jesse Jackson’s memory.
The discontent did not go unnoticed. Jesse Jackson Jr., the late reverend’s son, voiced a striking criticism during a separate memorial held at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters on Saturday. He pointedly remarked that the three former presidents who spoke at the funeral barely knew his father, underscoring a disconnect between their speeches and Jackson’s true legacy.
The opening remark from Jesse Jackson Jr. was an unexpected and powerful rebuke, leaving a lasting impression on those gathered and redirecting the focus back to the man they were there to honor.
The opening line of this clip is stunning, a (figurative) slap in the face to the trio:
WOW🚨: Jesse Jackson Jr. just DROPPED this at his father’s memorial:
“I listened to three United States presidents who did not know Jesse Jackson.”
He added: His father had a “tense relationship with the political order” because of the demands of justice—not race or party.… pic.twitter.com/7HrcIIx3pQ
— Officer Lew (@officer_Lew) March 8, 2026
He added: His father had a “tense relationship with the political order” because of the demands of justice—not race or party. Yet they politicized it anyway.
Talking about Obama, Biden, and Clinton turning the service into a political rally. Dad deserved better.
Wow.
To be fair, however, I read the transcript of Bill’s speech, and it wasn’t nearly as obnoxious as Barack’s or Joe’s.
MORE: Three Former Presidents Showed Up at Jesse Jackson Funeral to Blast MAGA, Only Two Brought Their Wives
Jackson Jr. had more, ordering mourners not to turn celebrations of his father’s life into political rallies.
SHAME!
The son of the late Rev. Jesse Jackson chides the left for turning his father’s funeral into a political rally against President Trump and Republicans:
“DO NOT bring your politics, out of respect to Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the life that he lived, to these ongoing… pic.twitter.com/TNYJKPqJBs
— Conservative Brief (@ConservBrief) March 7, 2026
Continued:
DO NOT bring your politics, out of respect to Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the life that he lived, to these ongoing services. Come respectful, and come to say thank you. But these ongoing services are welcome to ALL – Democrat, Republican, liberal, and conservative. Right-wing, left-wing. Because his life is broad enough to cover the full spectrum of what it means to be an American.
Spot on.
With this statement at least, Jackson Jr. showed more class than all three of the presidents (and Kamala Harris, who also took the stage to giggle at the funeral) combined. Too bad they couldn’t show the same respect that President Donald Trump did, despite the fact that he and the civil rights leader were often on opposite sides of the political divide.
Our Jennifer Oliver O’Connell brought you that story:
Trump Eulogizes Jesse Jackson, Underscoring the Rev.’s Conflicted Relationship With Barack Obama
Out of all of this, I think Obama comes out looking the worst. We already knew that Biden could barely get through a sentence, that Clinton would ramble, and that Kamala would cackle. We’ve seen Barry divide the country many times before, but it was nonetheless shocking to see just how angry and bitter he has become.
NEW Former President Obama says it’s ‘hard to hope’ in today’s political climate during his eulogy at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral:
“Everywhere we see greed and bigotry being celebrated, and bullying and mockery masquerading as strength.”
“We see science and expertise… pic.twitter.com/Z9vFOOaBYR
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 6, 2026
“We see science and expertise denigrated while ignorance and dishonesty and cruelty and corruption are reaping untold rewards.”
“Every single day we see that, and it’s hard to hope.”
It was a frankly despicable performance.
The remaining question, as I asked in my original coverage of the story, is where in the heck is Michelle?
The increasingly bitter former First Lady couldn’t be bothered to show up at the ceremony for an African-American civil rights icon?
I don’t care about her relationship with her husband, but for someone who was all too recently hailed by the press as the greatest first lady ever and graced countless magazine covers, this to me is a bad, bad look.
Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.